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You can call me Noi! This blog consists of my thoughts. I am just a simple person with BIG dreams! Like the charcoal, hot pressure and extreme heat must be present in order to create a Diamond. I am in the exact same process.
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Teachers's Day Experience / Saturday, September 01, 2007 @ 10:32 PM
It is officially Teacher’s Day! Happy Teacher’s Day to all teachers, you do not necessarily have to be in the mainstream school, you can be in a child care or student care like I was. Today, a fellow teacher gave me a card and congratulate me for celebrating my first Teacher’s Day as a teacher. Hmm.. it is not really my first time. Except for last year, while I was in NIE, I have been celebrating Teacher’s Day every year for the last 5 years. Ok, that made me sound really ancient, but nevertheless, this year is the first time I am celebrating Teacher’s Day as an SNO.
After reading Farhana and Edwina’s postings, I feel obliged to write about what happened in my school today. I am sorry that things did not go so well at your school and I can understand your frustration when you feel like what you do is not being appreciated. Trust me, it can really bring you down. Therefore, I hope after reading about how my day went, it will cheer you up, maybe just a little, to know that the mainstream schools are not all evil.
I started the day by looking for this boy, Daniel in primary 3. He was supposed to come for my class after school yesterday but he did not show up. He is extremely forgetful, so when I saw him in the morning, I asked him why he did not show up. He has a really cute face so it is really hard to be angry at him. Anyway he seemed to have really forgotten. After giving him some instructions, he then asked me: “Can I give you your present now?”
Surprised, I said: “You have something for me?”
“Yes!” He jumped and went running into his class and he came out with a blue wrapped item in his hand.
I stroked his cheek (because he is really small and cute!) and said: “Thank you so much.”
Inside the card, it was written by his mother: Thank you for your patience with Daniel. On another really crumpled paper, Daniel himself wrote: Miss Afni, thank you.
As you know, unlike the mainstream teachers, we do not have that many students. Still, the number of boys I am supporting have increased from 11 boys (2 months ago) to 14 boys now, with 3 newly diagnosed. I too, saw the so many gifts and wrappers in beautiful and bright colours on the teacher’s table. I did not want to compare because I know that what I do is different from them. Plus, I have only been in the school for a few months so I do not believe I have made that much impact on the students.
I was wrong.
I went on with class as usual and for my class at 10 am, I had 3 boy
s from P2. One of them, upon seeing me approaching his class, ran out and handed me a small and messily wrap gift. I was surprised again because I had only seen this boy for 2 lessons as he was just diagnosed as having Dyslexia 2 weeks ago. I spoke to his parent about a month ago to kindly ask them to bring him for assessment as I highly suspect he was dyslexic. His parents went because they were eager to let their son come to my class. They understood it when I told them that I cannot support student who were not diagnosed therefore, having an undiagnosed learning difference was going to be more frustrating for the boy. They followed my recommendations, I am glad I was of assistance.
School was supposed to end at 1.00 pm as teachers were invited for a special celebration at the Thinkcubator (where we have contact time). As I reached my workstation, strategically positioned in the middle of the staffroom, I saw a big paper bag with a nicely wrapped gift inside. It was from Joe, one out of the 2 boys that I see everyday. These 2 boys are to see me everyday because they were much weaker than the others, even though as a whole, they were all generally weak compared to their peers. He has APD (Auditory Processing Disorder) and is very forgetful and clumsy. In fact, he is one of my favourite students, simply because he does not jump around and run around the class during lesson time. I shall treasure the small card, where he wrote his message personally. Being reluctant readers and writers, for them to write a message or sentence without any spelling errors, was truly a miracle. Amazingly, none of them who gave me a card spelled my name wrongly.
By 1.15, all teachers, including me and the CCPE (also in EAS scheme), were ushered to the Thinkcubator. To all the teacher’s pleasant surprise, there was red carpet leading to the room and along the carpet were prefects all holding a rose each. Instead of wearing the prefects tie, they were wearing a really big bow, and an apron. They looked really cute! As I walked on the red carpet (haha!), one of them handed me a rose. It was so sweet, so much effort was being done and I could see the careful planning done by the organizing committee.
When I entered the Thinkcubator, it has been transformed! It was laid with checkered tablecloth, balloons, candles, a stage (how did they do this?), a nicely decorated table basically. As we sat down, the boy waiters came and started serving food! After we were done, they will clear our plates first before serving the next course. It was almost like being in an actual restaurant. While all this was going on, there were some boys performing on the mini stage, including a band. Yes, with drums and guitars and all! I was simply amazed.
There was so much food. Salad, prawns, soup, chicken, baked potato and even cheesecake as desserts. I could not finish the baked potato, I was so full and bloated after the boys kept topping up my glass. There were prize giving and all, and I received lots of chocolates!
On Wednesday, all teachers, including me received a gift from the principal and a hand written note by her. I cannot believe she took the time to do that, imagine there are over 50 teachers! Apart from that all the teachers (including me) receive a $20 NTUC voucher! Isn’t that great! The VP himself personally came to me and handed the envelope to me.
On Wednesday too, I received 2 gifts for Teacher’s Day from 2 of my P1 boys. One boy made a paper house with eyes and gave it to me with his name hugely written so I will not forget him. The handwriting is atrocious but still, it was so sweet. I have only seen most of these boys for only about 2 months, therefore I was not expecting anything. I thought to myself, it would be nice to receive something but if I don’t then it is ok, I have a whole year to make an impact.
Like I mentioned, I was wrong about this. The good thing about my school is, it has a great culture. People thank people during TCube and therefore the teachers are being appreciated and recognized for doing all the hard work. I see my principal and vice principals jokingly talking to some teachers, even me at times. The vice principal (both of them) always makes me laugh, they joke a lot but still managed to maintain that respected image of themselves that I have always admired. Casual relationship amongst professionals created a good and healthy work environment for everyone, management team, teachers and students.
During recess, one of my vice principals saw me and asked if I needed anything. He said that the school is willing to pay for any kind of resources that I might need. I just needed to say the word.
None of my bosses in my history of working life ever did that!
My fellow SNOs, I remembered praying for a school I can comfortably work in just a few months ago, before we were all posted. I was praying for it but I was not counting on it. I was determined to make my presence significance no matter what. Today, seeing the note by my principal and the appreciation shown by the teachers and students I work with, I am now more convinced than ever that my presence matter.
My day ended with Joe’s mum coming up to me. She says, “Joe love your classes so much that he told me that Miss Afni’s class is special. It is air con and he gets all correct for spelling. He says that has never happened to him before.”
Today, my life was touched. I am blessed.
They may forget what you said and teach, but they will never forget how you made them feel.
A personally written note by my principal. It took me a long time to realise that it was her signature! May this Teacher's Day be the start of a meaningful and inspiring journey.
Teacher's Day Experience
It is officially Teacher’s Day! Happy Teacher’s Day to all teachers, you do not necessarily have to be in the mainstream school, you can be in a child care or student care like I was. Today, a fellow teacher gave me a card and congratulate me for celebrating my first Teacher’s Day as a teacher. Hmm.. it is not really my first time. Except for last year, while I was in NIE, I have been celebrating Teacher’s Day every year for the last 5 years. Ok, that made me sound really ancient, but nevertheless, this year is the first time I am celebrating Teacher’s Day as an SNO.
After reading Farhana and Edwina’s postings, I feel obliged to write about what happened in my school today. I am sorry that things did not go so well at your school and I can understand your frustration when you feel like what you do is not being appreciated. Trust me, it can really bring you down. Therefore, I hope after reading about how my day went, it will cheer you up, maybe just a little, to know that the mainstream schools are not all evil.
I started the day by looking for this boy, Daniel in primary 3. He was supposed to come for my class after school yesterday but he did not show up. He is extremely forgetful, so when I saw him in the morning, I asked him why he did not show up. He has a really cute face so it is really hard to be angry at him. Anyway he seemed to have really forgotten. After giving him some instructions, he then asked me: “Can I give you your present now?”Surprised, I said: “You have something for me?”
“Yes!” He jumped and went running into his class and he came out with a blue wrapped item in his hand.
I stroked his cheek (because he is really small and cute!) and said: “Thank you so much.”
Inside the card, it was written by his mother: Thank you for your patience with Daniel. On another really crumpled paper, Daniel himself wrote: Miss Afni, thank you.
As you know, unlike the mainstream teachers, we do not have that many students. Still, the number of boys I am supporting have increased from 11 boys (2 months ago) to 14 boys now, with 3 newly diagnosed. I too, saw the so many gifts and wrappers in beautiful and bright colours on the teacher’s table. I did not want to compare because I know that what I do is different from them. Plus, I have only been in the school for a few months so I do not believe I have made that much impact on the students.
I was wrong.
I went on with class as usual and for my class at 10 am, I had 3 boy
s from P2. One of them, upon seeing me approaching his class, ran out and handed me a small and messily wrap gift. I was surprised again because I had only seen this boy for 2 lessons as he was just diagnosed as having Dyslexia 2 weeks ago. I spoke to his parent about a month ago to kindly ask them to bring him for assessment as I highly suspect he was dyslexic. His parents went because they were eager to let their son come to my class. They understood it when I told them that I cannot support student who were not diagnosed therefore, having an undiagnosed learning difference was going to be more frustrating for the boy. They followed my recommendations, I am glad I was of assistance.School was supposed to end at 1.00 pm as teachers were invited for a special celebration at the Thinkcubator (where we have contact time). As I reached my workstation, strategically positioned in the middle of the staffroom, I saw a big paper bag with a nicely wrapped gift inside. It was from Joe, one out of the 2 boys that I see everyday. These 2 boys are to see me everyday because they were much weaker than the others, even though as a whole, they were all generally weak compared to their peers. He has APD (Auditory Processing Disorder) and is very forgetful and clumsy. In fact, he is one of my favourite students, simply because he does not jump around and run around the class during lesson time. I shall treasure the small card, where he wrote his message personally. Being reluctant readers and writers, for them to write a message or sentence without any spelling errors, was truly a miracle. Amazingly, none of them who gave me a card spelled my name wrongly.
By 1.15, all teachers, including me and the CCPE (also in EAS scheme), were ushered to the Thinkcubator. To all the teacher’s pleasant surprise, there was red carpet leading to the room and along the carpet were prefects all holding a rose each. Instead of wearing the prefects tie, they were wearing a really big bow, and an apron. They looked really cute! As I walked on the red carpet (haha!), one of them handed me a rose. It was so sweet, so much effort was being done and I could see the careful planning done by the organizing committee.
When I entered the Thinkcubator, it has been transformed! It was laid with checkered tablecloth, balloons, candles, a stage (how did they do this?), a nicely decorated table basically. As we sat down, the boy waiters came and started serving food! After we were done, they will clear our plates first before serving the next course. It was almost like being in an actual restaurant. While all this was going on, there were some boys performing on the mini stage, including a band. Yes, with drums and guitars and all! I was simply amazed.
There was so much food. Salad, prawns, soup, chicken, baked potato and even cheesecake as desserts. I could not finish the baked potato, I was so full and bloated after the boys kept topping up my glass. There were prize giving and all, and I received lots of chocolates!
On Wednesday, all teachers, including me received a gift from the principal and a hand written note by her. I cannot believe she took the time to do that, imagine there are over 50 teachers! Apart from that all the teachers (including me) receive a $20 NTUC voucher! Isn’t that great! The VP himself personally came to me and handed the envelope to me.
On Wednesday too, I received 2 gifts for Teacher’s Day from 2 of my P1 boys. One boy made a paper house with eyes and gave it to me with his name hugely written so I will not forget him. The handwriting is atrocious but still, it was so sweet. I have only seen most of these boys for only about 2 months, therefore I was not expecting anything. I thought to myself, it would be nice to receive something but if I don’t then it is ok, I have a whole year to make an impact.
Like I mentioned, I was wrong about this. The good thing about my school is, it has a great culture. People thank people during TCube and therefore the teachers are being appreciated and recognized for doing all the hard work. I see my principal and vice principals jokingly talking to some teachers, even me at times. The vice principal (both of them) always makes me laugh, they joke a lot but still managed to maintain that respected image of themselves that I have always admired. Casual relationship amongst professionals created a good and healthy work environment for everyone, management team, teachers and students.
During recess, one of my vice principals saw me and asked if I needed anything. He said that the school is willing to pay for any kind of resources that I might need. I just needed to say the word.
None of my bosses in my history of working life ever did that!
My fellow SNOs, I remembered praying for a school I can comfortably work in just a few months ago, before we were all posted. I was praying for it but I was not counting on it. I was determined to make my presence significance no matter what. Today, seeing the note by my principal and the appreciation shown by the teachers and students I work with, I am now more convinced than ever that my presence matter.
My day ended with Joe’s mum coming up to me. She says, “Joe love your classes so much that he told me that Miss Afni’s class is special. It is air con and he gets all correct for spelling. He says that has never happened to him before.”
Today, my life was touched. I am blessed.
They may forget what you said and teach, but they will never forget how you made them feel.
A personally written note by my principal. It took me a long time to realise that it was her signature! May this Teacher's Day be the start of a meaningful and inspiring journey.
